A leading LGBT rights activist has been named as Turkey’s very first transgender news anchor.
Michelle Demishevich has been hired as a TV reporter by IMC TV and will work as a presenter on a current affairs news programme for the station.
According to an interview the TV reporter had with AFP, there is still extreme violence against transgender people in the Muslim country, with Demishevich revealing how she was attacked in a hate crime in 2012, where a culprit was only recently found guilty and jailed.
The outspoken advocate for LGBT rights proudly marched in Istanbul’s Pride parade in June, and Demishevich next plans to run for office in Turkey’s legislature.
Speaking about her recent appointment, Demishevich says:
“Activism is not about only marching on the streets with flags. What I call activism is my working as TV reporter when other trans people are only depicted negatively by the media. It is important to show that ‘others’ are also capable of doing meaningful things. Therefore, I decided to march with my flag in the hand. At work, I am just like everyone. My gender identity is out of question. I love my job.”
Image via Advocate Magazine
